Corpus Christi Speedway has new owner

Shelma Walton, who owns and operates J & S Racing Promotions, a San Antonio-based company that provides racing promotional and sponsorship services, has purchased the 62-year old track from Donnie and Carol Yocum, according to a press release from J & S Racing Promotions.

Corpus Christi Speedway, which opened its gates in 1945, is located two miles west of Interstate 37 in Corpus Christi and is not far from the Corpus Christi Greyhound race track.

The Yocums have owned the speedway for the past 16 years, but the track has never seen a lot of success. The track has suffered from low car counts and poor attendance over the years. Several of Texas’ stock car touring series stopped racing at the track a few years ago when the series organizers were unable to reach a contract agreement with the owners.

“We’re very confident in our decision to sell the track to Shelma Walton,” the Yocums said in the press release. “With the experienced staff Shelma will bring to the track, the only way to go is up.

“Owning a race track can be very demanding, and the love of racing means everything to an owner,” the Yocums added. “We can see that Shelma loves racing, and we feel her determination will make the track a success.”

The attempt to take over Corpus Christi Speedway is Walton’s second attempt in the past month to purchase a track.

Walton recently announced that she was purchasing I-37 Speedway and was going to rename it Texas Dirt Raceway. She also announced that Rick Day would be named as the track manager. The deal fell through prior to Walton opening the track.

“We’ve heard about Corpus Christi Speedway’s popularity, especially with the drivers, and we know it’s rich in racing history,” Walton said in the press release. “It’s my goal to keep racing alive in South Texas, and I feel that the purchase of Corpus Christi Speedway is definitely a step in the right direction.”

Walton said she plans to hold all of the remaining 2007 races that were listed on the CCS schedule. Her first night of running the track will be on August 4. Walton said that some special events may be added and that the driver’s championship points race will end on September 1.

“I can tell that the Yocums are emotional about the future of the track, and I plan to do all I can to continue their positive momentum,” Walton said in the news release. “They’ve created a family-oriented atmosphere at the track, and I think that’s also very important to the future of racing in Texas.”

Weather permitting, the Yocums will hold a farewell race this Saturday night. The race card will feature the CCS local cars, along with the Texas Thunders, Bombers, Super Streets and Texas Dwarf Cars. The schedule also includes heat races and an Australian Pursuit Race. The grandstand gates open at 6 p.m., and the races will start at 8 p.m.